Rainwater Management Solutions and their Impact on Shaping Inner City Areas Undergoing Transformation (Case Study of the ZAC Clichy-Batignolles Area in Paris)

Abstract

Proper management of rainwater in cities has significant impact on improving environmental conditions: improving microclimate of city by regulating the water cycle and reducing heat islands; development of biodiversity; increase health and well-being of residents. The aim of the article is to present the possibilities of improving environmental conditions in compact urban development areas - those that additionally contribute to the shaping of architecture, and thus combine the benefits: ecological, functional, aesthetic. The article draws attention to the synergy of climate change and the new way of developing urban areas which was presented on the example of specific solutions functioning on the transformed urban area: Clichy-Batignolles in central Paris – recognized as a model for environmental solutions, labeled Éco-Quartier. The mentioned conditions and solutions were related to the possibility of shaping urban form, with the obligation to discharge some or all of the rainwater on the building plot. Based on the calculations made for the runoff ratio in individual quarters, it was found that it is possible to maintain a compact urban structure and effectively manage rain water provided that appropriate engineering and urban solutions are applied. These solutions can have architectural value. Conclusions from the analyzes can be used to formulate guidelines for other European cities, which are increasingly faced with the problem of water scarcity and uncontrolled flooding.

Keywords

• new urban development
• sustainable urban water management
• rainwater harvesting system
• wet ditches
• biotope reservoir
• runoff ratio
• degrated areas
• clichy-batignolles area